How Many Days Should I Spend in Yellowstone National Park?

If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Yellowstone National Park, you’ve come to the right spot. I’m here to help you determine the amount of time to budget for this national park, taking into account the adventures you’re hoping to have during your time in Yellowstone.

How many days should you spend in Yellowstone? I recommend 4 full days to see the highlights of the park without feeling like you missed out on anything! This park is large and complex, and it takes hours to drive between the points of interest.

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My name is Ash, and I worked as a park ranger in Wyoming. I’ve spent a lot of time in Yellowstone, and I can’t wait to help you plan your trip to this breathtaking national park.

Let’s get deeper into the things you’ll want to consider when deciding how many days you should spend in Yellowstone.

Can I See Yellowstone in One Day?

You can see a few areas of Yellowstone in one day, but you won’t even come close to seeing all of the best spots in the park!

If you only have one day, you’ll have time to make it to Old Faithful and Canyon Village, the two most popular areas of the park. Get excited to see a few geysers as you visit Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin, and enjoy the mist from the spectacular Lower Falls of the Yellowstone.

With one day in Yellowstone, you won’t have time to see the smaller and off-the-beaten-path stops, which will also limit your wildlife sightings. You’ll be traveling to the most popular areas of the park during some of the busiest times of the day, so expect a lot of crowding and traffic.

Yellowstone in Two Days

I suggest two full sightseeing days in Yellowstone at the very least. With two days, you’ll have time to get to Old Faithful and Canyon Village, but you won’t have to rush, and it will be easier to avoid the crowds in both of these areas.

You’ll also have time to add in some other exciting points of interest, such as Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, or the West Thumb.

Yellowstone in Three Days

Spending three days in Yellowstone is when things really start getting good! With three days in the park, you’ll have time to drive all of the park roads. You can easily get to Old Faithful, Canyon Village, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

You’ll also be able to add in some time at some of the harder-to-get-to areas of the park, such as the Lamar Valley. This is the best place to go to see wildlife, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy this area if you have three full days in the park.

If you’re hoping to participate in a special activity like horseback riding, boating, fishing, or hiking a longer trail, then I would plan at least three full sightseeing days in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone in Four Days

You can explore a good portion of Yellowstone in three days, but it’s amazing the difference an extra day can make. If you can spend four full days in Yellowstone, you will have time to see some of the most spectacular parts of the park that many people never see.

With four full days, you’ll have time to see all of the park’s main geyser basins, hike several trails, enjoy wildlife viewing, and find solitude. You can see the very best of the park without the fear of missing out on anything!

A four-day visit will open up more options for capturing stunning photographs in the park in various lighting and weather conditions. It’s nice to have multiple evenings to enjoy a few nice dinners, join in on ranger programs, or return to your favorite spots after the crowds have gone.

One other fabulous thing about giving yourself four full days in the park is that it will be much easier to get to the busy spots when the crowds are the smallest. That will save you a lot of time and provide opportunities for solitude!

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Other Things to Consider

Before you solidify your travel dates or book your lodging for Yellowstone, you’ll want to think about a few things, such as:

How much time will it take to travel to and from Yellowstone (not including your sightseeing days)?

Many people forget to factor in the time it will take for them to drive to the park, which can cut into your sightseeing and leave you wishing for more time. For example, if you plan on spending one day in Yellowstone, but don’t get to the park until 10 a.m., you’ll severely limit the things you’ll have time to see. This is especially true if you visit during the summer — parking lots will be completely full by then.

Are there any major holidays/fee-free days/festivals you’d like to be in the park for or avoid?

If you’re visiting over a holiday or fee-free day, the crowds will be higher, and parking lots will be packed. You may have a harder time getting around to all the can’t-miss spots, so some extra time could be beneficial.

Are there other national parks and points of interest you’re hoping to see on the same trip?

Yellowstone is close to several other national parks, including Grand Teton and Glacier. Even if you are hoping to visit other parks while you’re in the area, you’ll need to plan a good amount of time in Yellowstone. Most people underestimate the number of days they’ll need to fully enjoy the park!

Should I Spend More Time in Yellowstone or Grand Teton?

Chances are, if you’re heading to Yellowstone, you’re probably also wanting to visit Grand Teton National Park during the same trip. These parks are only separated by 8 miles of road, making it easy to see both!

Yellowstone typically needs more time than Grand Teton. It is a larger park with more ground to cover, but it’s also more heavily visited and harder to navigate than Grand Teton.

That being said, if you’re looking for some truly epic hiking trails in the mountains, you may want some extra time in Grand Teton!

The ideal number of days for each park is at least 4 full days in Yellowstone and 3 full days in Grand Teton.

Yellowstone Itinerary Options

I’m here to help you determine how many days to spend in Yellowstone, so here are a few sample trip itineraries for the area that can help you decide how to split your time between parks!

After you decide how to split your time, these detailed itineraries will provide you with a ton of extra information on things to do, driving directions, lodging and dining options, and insider tips for your trip.

If you have:

A Weekend in Wyoming

I recommend spending one day in Yellowstone and one day in Grand Teton. If it’s a long weekend, add another day to Yellowstone.

One Week in Wyoming

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Day 1 — Fly into Bozeman and drive to West Yellowstone (2 hours)
Day 2 — Yellowstone
Day 3 — Yellowstone
Day 4 — Yellowstone all day, then drive to Grand Teton (2 hours)
Day 5 — Grand Teton
Day 6 — Grand Teton
Day 7 — Drive back to Bozeman to catch your flight (5 hours)

10 Days in Wyoming

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Day 1 — Fly into Bozeman and drive to West Yellowstone (2 hours)
Day 2 — Yellowstone
Day 3 — Yellowstone
Day 4 — Yellowstone
Day 5 — Yellowstone
Day 6 — Drive to Jackson and spend some time in town (2 hours)
Day 7 — Grand Teton
Day 8 — Grand Teton
Day 9 — Grand Teton
Day 10 — Drive back to Bozeman to catch your flight (5 hours)

2 Weeks in Wyoming

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Enjoy your trip to Yellowstone National Park. Happy trails!

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